Veterans Assistance: Veterans Service Officer

Vigo County Human Resources; Terre Haute (IN); On-site; USD 44,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Paid holidays

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

457 plan

Life insurance

Job summary

Vigo County Veterans' Assistance Office seeks a Veterans’ Service Officer to assist veterans, spouses, dependents and survivors with pension, compensation, medical benefits and other entitlements under Indiana law.

Incumbent must be Indiana citizen, honorably discharged from US military service (6+ months) and accredited by IDVA, with a high school diploma or GED and solid communication skills. Full-time position with broad duties and benefits.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with 1–2 years of relevant experience or equivalent
• Must be at least 21 years old
• Indiana citizen
• Honorably discharged from US military service with at least 6 months service and accredited by IDVA
• Ability to work with VA forms, service records, benefit letters and medical records
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to prepare forms and reports
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and basic computer skills

Responsibilities

• Assist veterans and dependents in filing for benefits and preparing forms
• Coordinate transportation for veterans to VA hospitals and track mileage
• Disseminate current VA information and maintain resource materials
• Prepare reports and statistics for IDVA and Vigo County Commissioners
• Appear at facilities to file paperwork and assist with widow claims
• Assist local veterans organizations and participate in accreditation training
• Provide technical assistance to local government agencies
• Maintain office budgets and payroll
• Answer phones and greet visitors
• Perform related duties as assigned

Skills

Public speaking

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Detail oriented

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Veteran's Assistance: Veterans' Service Officer

Salary

$47,065.20 annually

Job Type

Full-time

Benefits

Vigo County offers to full-time employees competitive benefit plans. These include Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, paid holidays, Flexible Spending Account Plans, 457 Plans, Life Insurance, and others.

Description

Incumbent serves as Veterans’ Service Officer for the Vigo County Veterans’ Assistance Office, responsible for providing assistance and information to eligible veterans, their spouses, dependents and/or survivors filing for pension, compensation, medical benefits, and other benefits according to IC 10-5-1-11.

Must be a citizen of the State of Indiana and be honorably discharged from the United States Military Service with at least six (6) month service and must be accredited by Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs.

Duties

• Assists veterans and/or their dependents in filing for benefits, including gathering information for claims, researching cases to determine applicable laws, eligibility and claim status, and preparing forms as needed. Assess medical records verifying/checking if illness or injury incurred in service to assists in establishing eligibility for VA benefits.
• Coordinates transportation for veterans to and from appointments at appropriate VA hospitals, including coordinating driver for vans, and maintaining files on mileage and usage of vans.
• Assimilates and disseminates current VA information, including maintaining up-to-date resource materials.
• Prepares and submits appropriate reports, forms, and statistics to Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs and Vigo County Commissioners.
• Appears at assisted living facilities, hospital or home of veteran to file paperwork.
• Handles widow claims based on death of a veteran, working with funeral homes getting discharge papers for military funeral and requesting grave marker for veterans.
• Assists local veterans organizations.
• Attends accreditation training yearly, including veterans meetings, seminars, and workshops.
• Provides technical assistance to local government agencies.
• Maintains files and filing system, including maintaining diary system on claimants and assistance provided.
• Prepares and monitors office budget, and payroll.
• Answers telephone and greets office visitors, determining nature of call, providing information, assistance, and direction, and receiving and answering mailings.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED, with one (1) to two (2) years previous relevant experience, or any combination of education, training and experience.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must be a citizen of the State of Indiana.
• Must be an honorably discharged person from the United States Military Service with at least six (6) month service and must be accredited by Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Working knowledge of and ability to comprehend and correctly use a variety of informational documents, including various VA forms, service records, benefit letters/updates, medical records, and other reports and records.
• Working knowledge of and ability to comprehend a variety of reference books and manuals, including, but not limited to, Veterans Benefits Handbook, Service Officer Guidebook, IDVA manuals/guides, Indiana Code, and Veterans Service Handbook.
• Working knowledge of bookkeeping practices and principles, and ability to perform arithmetic calculations to prepare purchase orders, payroll claims, budget and salary requests, and payroll documents.
• Working knowledge of standard office procedures and basic computer skills, and ability to apply such knowledge to a variety of interrelated processes, tasks and operations.
• Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare forms, correspondence, and detailed written reports as required.
• Knowledge of basic filing systems and ability to create and maintain accurate and complete Department files/records.
• Ability to properly operate standard office equipment, including computer, calculator, copier, fax machine, scanner, and telephone.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, VA Regional Office, VA Medical Center, veterans and their spouses/dependents/survivors, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.
• Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/difficult persons.
• Ability to comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
• Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department information and records according to state requirements.
• Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out oral or written instructions and present finding in oral or written form.
• Ability to analyze, evaluate, observe, diagnose, and investigate data.
• Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment.
• Ability to work on several tasks at the same time and work rapidly for long periods, often under time pressure.
• Ability to apply knowledge of people and/or locations, and plan and layout assigned work projects.
• Ability to occasionally plan and present public speaking presentations, fund raisers, and special events.
• Ability to occasionally work weekend and occasionally travel out of town for conferences, sometimes overnight.

Supplemental Information

Incumbent performs duties that are complex in nature and require careful consideration of new and/or unusual circumstances, exercising judgment in assessing individual needs, filing claims for benefits, and referring services to veterans, their spouses, dependents or survivors. Decisions are frequently made with little or no guidance from supervisor.

Incumbent applies specialized knowledge of veterans’ services and benefits in meeting the needs of veterans, their spouses, dependents and/or survivors, exercising independent judgment in interpreting and applying rules, regulations, and legal requirements to individual cases. Work is periodically reviewed for attainment of objectives.

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, VA Regional Office, VA Medical Center, veterans and their spouses/dependents/survivors, and the public for purposes of exchanging information, providing explanation/instruction and counseling, and resolving problems.

Incumbent performs duties in an standard office environment, involving sitting/walking at will, sitting for long periods, lifting/carrying objects weighing less than 25 pounds, crouching/kneeling, pushing/pulling objects, bending, reaching, driving, close/far vision, depth perception, handling/grasping objects, speaking clearly, and hearing sounds/communication.

Incumbent may be exposed to irate/difficult persons, and safety precautions should be followed at all times to avoid injury to self or others. Incumbent occasionally works weekend and occasionally travels out of town for conferences, sometimes overnight.

Vigo County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.